How tall do you want it to be? How far from the house? Any particular threats the trees have to survive? (eg swampy soil, salt, etc) What about washington hawthorn, tuliptree, magnolia, or Aleghany seviceberry?

Would prefer something 25' - 30' tall max, with deep roots; strong against winds. I liked what I read about the Washington hawthorn, like the fruit attracting cedar waxwings.

One drawback of hawthorns is they are vulnerable to cedar apple rust in areas with eastern red cedar. Hmmm...Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis ) is supposed to be wind tolerant and a favorite of cedar waxwings. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is obviously a favorite of cedar waxwings, is very wind tolerant and a great privacy screen, but no flowers and not a super attractive tree. Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alterniflora ) attracts birds, tolerates wind, and is the right size.

Is the wind coastal? Does it carry salt? What's the soil like?

Yes, coastal wind. I'm not a gardner, so I can't answer the question about what the soil is like. I do know that all those #@%$! vines grow very well .. rambling rose, Virginia creeper, ivy, wisteria & poison ivy.

Are you close enough to the water to get salt spray during a storm?

As far as the soil. Most of those vines will grow anywhere. Dig a hole. Then pour a bucket of water in it. How easy was it to dig? How long until the water drains away? That will tell you if you have well drained sandy soil, clay soil or compacted soil.

Good to know; no, I don't get salt spray during storms; I'm 80' above sea level .. thankfully! I do have a landscaper, but thought I'd get some ideas here, before I discuss the subject with him.

@tlbean2004 - I really like that!